8 Ways to Go Green at the Office with Little Investment

A lot of businesses are taking the leap and going green. Why? Well, aside from wanting to reduce the company’s carbon footprint, many owners understand how great it can be for growing their business. In fact, many market research studies have concluded that most customers prefer to do business with, work for, and support companies with sustainable practices.

Who knew that by adhering to the five “Rs” — reduce, reuse, recycle, repair, and rethink — could garner so much attention for a business? What’s more is that implementing green tactics within the workplace does not have to be costly. There are seamlessly hundreds of ways to go green. Here’s a few you can implement now:

1. Switch Energy Suppliers – Many businesses aren’t aware that they have the power to choose who their energy supplier is. For example, suppliers like Startex energy offers affordable green solutions that will ultimately save you money and provide you with a sustainable resource to reduce your carbon footprint. Switching suppliers won’t cost you a cent but can save you hundreds.

2. Reduce the Need to Print – We live in a digital world now, which means that are plenty of technological resources you can use to create, store, and manage documentation. One of the simplest ways to save money and go green is to transition to a paperless organization. Files can be managed through cloud storage accounts, while forms, documents, and correspondence can get emailed or faxed electronically.

3. Purchase Recycled Supplies – When ordering office supplies, try as best you can to purchase from businesses that produce environmentally friendly products. Recycled folders, paper, eco-friendly cleaning supplies, or even remanufactured ink cartridges are great ways to go green.

4. Purchase Used Office Equipment – Instead of purchasing new furniture for your office, try to purchase furniture that has already been used. You can purchase from a company that is going out of business, check local thrift shops, or even check out a few second-hand stores in the area. Used furniture in good condition works just as good as brand new furniture while also saving you money and helping the environment.

5. Utilize Natural Light – If your workspace permits it, try and utilize as much natural lighting as you can. Investing in window treatments like venation blinds allows you to control the amount of light in the office at any given time. This will reduce the need to drain electricity by turning on tons of lights and lamps.

6. Invest in LED Bulbs – If your office space doesn’t have a lot of access to natural lighting, the next best solution would be to invest in environmentally friendly light bulbs such as LED or compact fluorescent lighting. These bulbs require a lot less energy to operate, while also giving off a lot less heat than traditional incandescent lighting. Though the initial cost of energy efficient lighting might seem like a lot compared to other types of lights, these bulbs last an average of ten times longer so they save you more money over time.

7. Use Multi-function Machines – For every piece of equipment you buy, that is more toxic fumes being put into the atmosphere. To reduce that, it is best to purchase machines that serve a dual purpose. For instance, a copying machine that also has printing, fax, and scanning capabilities eliminates the need to buy each of these devices separately.

8. Offer Telecommuting – Any day that the team doesn’t have to be in the office is a day that can help the environment and save you money. When staff is allowed to work from home, they do not utilize company resources. This essentially means there’s a reduced need for energy consumption. Whether you offer it daily or on a weekly basis, this can greatly reduce your carbon footprint.

So there you have it, eight ways to go green in your office space today. Whether you’re looking out for the environment, trying to draw in new customers, or looking for ways to save money on operational costs, going green can help you accomplish that. No matter what type of budget you’re working with, you can implement each of these ideas with very little invest. In due time (which is typically very fast) you’ll see the return on your investment manifest for years to come.